Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Egypt Military: 30 Extremists Killed in Sinai | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55379342
Caption:

Egyptian army soldiers patrol the Cairo-Ismailia desert road in Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)


Egyptian forces have killed 30 extremists in security operations that spanned several days in the Sinai Peninsula involving the army, air force and police, the military said Saturday.

The Egyptian authorities are battling an insurgency by ISIS in North Sinai that has killed hundreds of members of the security forces and civilians.

The military did not specify to which group the 30 extremists belonged but described them as “extremely dangerous”.

Five others were arrested as Egyptian forces imposed a “tight siege” on the North Sinai provincial capital El-Arish and the cities of Sheikh Zuweid and Rafah, a military statement said.

Egypt has struggled since 2013 to quash attacks led by ISIS, whose local branch is based in North Sinai.

On Thursday, gunmen attacked a three-car police convoy on the main Cairo-to-Fayoum road, killing one policeman and injuring three others, the Egyptian interior ministry said.

The gunmen fired at the last car from plantation land alongside the road, it said.